Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A September 1914 ‘Battle of the Aisne’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Acting Corporal James Webber, 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, who was also mentioned in despatches and killed in action in October 1914

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8944 Pte. J. Webber. H.L.I.); 1914 Star, with clasp (8944 Pte. J. Webber, 2/High: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (8944 Pte. J. Webber. High. L.I.) extremely fine (4) £2000-2500

D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1914:

‘For catching and bringing back loose ammunition pack-horses under heavy fire, on 14th September, and for carrying orders under a heavy fire during 14th to 17th September.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 October 1914 (Sir John French).

Acting Corporal James Webber, from Edinburgh, enlisted there on 20 August 1903. He passed into the Army Reserve on 4 November 1911, and was recalled to the Colours on the outbreak of war. For his gallantry on the Aisne, 14-17 September, he was personally presented with the D.C.M. in the field by Field-Marshal Sir John French, at Bourg, on 27 September 1914. It was one of the first two D.C.Ms. won by the 2nd H.L.I. in the Great War, the other going to Sergeant F. Nicholson, for gallantry on the same occasion. Acting Corporal Webber was killed in action, reportedly by a German sniper, near Polyglone Wood, on 29 October 1914, aged 27, and is commemorated by name on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Sold with full research, including extracts from War Diary and regimental history.